May 20, 2014 Passengers: Sue Frauendiener, Tiffany Turner The weather has returned to flyable with a gentle push from the north so I call for the Brooks site for today’s get together. As I drove out to the launch site I noticed some patchy fog developing in the “bottoms” area so we will have some unique photo’s today. We get the balloon out and filled and I have the gals join me in the basket. We are off the tarmac as one of those “patches” start to form then it’s clear blue in a few feet as we gain some altitude. To the west toward the river we have some patches and we get a chance for a “doublerainbow” eclipse shot, not something we see often. I need to get some altitude as low we have no speed at all and no LZ’s either. At about 800-900 feet I get a nice breeze at 10 MPH that will carry us in a bit to Keizer and good spots to land. As we drift along the gals are really enjoying the ride and marvel at the beauty of our valley. We climb out of the bottoms just off the Willow Lake plant and are closing in on the river, which I don’t want to cross. We are approaching a good LZ (landing zone) so I have the “gang” stage there and now the trick for me is to get there. We are a bit high and have to get down fast so I drop some altitude and I’m looking for the “notch” wind from the west which is usually here about tree top which will shove us to the east and the waiting crew. The move worked just as planned and we are on the parking lot at the “dog park”. We get the balloon deflated, packed up, the bag sit done. We load up and head back to Finney Lake for the picnic. I get the story started, the toast is done and the certificates are presented. PASSENGER COMMENTS: Sue: “First flight was an awesome adventure so peaceful and quiet. Rose above the fog to an amazing sight the Willamette Valley is beautiful. Can’t wait for another flight, thank you!” Tiffany: “Awesome flight thank you for taking us up. We will be back!!” A BIG thank you to today’s Crew (I can’t get in the air or back on the ground without’um) Cecil, Tim TRACK Average Speed: 7.0 MPH Distance Flown: 6.6 Miles Websystem hosting provided by WolfPk. | Site Map Copyright © 2003-2017 Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc. Legal Information All Rights Reserved.